Surgeon Rant

JillN · May 2, 2006

Sorry all, but I have to get this off my chest.

I saw my surgeon for the first time in February - at that time, I brought the report and x-rays of my upper GI series, done less than a year before - I thought if I could avoid some tests as I’d already had them done, then great, less money and less time before scheduling surgery.

The surgeon read the report, but didn't look at the x-Rays - said bring them to your pre-op and I’ll look at them then. She didn’t even want to hang onto them for her files, she wanted me to take them away and she’d look at them at the pre-op.

So yesterday was my pre-op (2 weeks before surgery), I brought the x-rays, and she looked at them for the first time. Well, we both knew I had a hiatal hernia, and she did see that. But she also saw an enlargement of my esophagus, and a stricture of the opening that goes between esophagus and stomach. She now says she must have an endoscopy before surgery, to make sure I don’t have a problem called Achalasia, which could potentially be a contra-indication for Lap Band.

So we have to scramble to get an endoscopy done before surgery, and in enough time to let her get the results. So Friday this week (May 5) is the only time they can fit me in.

Problem is, I’ve been planning for the last year to attend a big sewing conference starting tomorrow, running through Saturday. I’ve taken the days off from work as vacation days, and I’ve signed up (and PAID FOR) several classes, including 3 on Friday, that I now have to miss due to the endoscopy.<O:p

I posted in another thread asking if I could attend an evening class after an afternoon endo, so I’m hoping to only miss 1 class, and not all three that day, but I’m a bit upset with my surgeon for not looking at the x-rays when I originally brought them, and having to now scramble and get a last minute endoscopy.<O:p

If I do have this achalasia, then it would need to be addressed before my lap band could be placed (if in fact it could still be placed at all) – it sounds like it is something that my grandmother had, so even though it’s a rare problem, I’m concerned that I do have it, and it will prevent me from getting a band and losing the weight. I broke crying down after we left the doctor’s office yesterday – was glad to have my hubby with me.<O:p

I agree with the surgeon, that I don’t want to have a band if there is some physical reason that it wouldn’t work for me (and achalasia, untreated, would be a problem). I’m just hoping this isn’t what my grandmother had, and if it was, that I don’t have it as well – I don’t have any of the symptoms that my grandmother had (or any symptoms that are described online for the condition), so I’m a bit hopeful.<O:p

PLEASE everyone keep your fingers crossed that I don’t have this achalasia, and that my surgery will continue as scheduled – I did go to my other pre-op appointments yesterday, and the surgeon is fairly certain we’ll be all set and I’ll be able to have the surgery, but she couldn’t perform it until she got the results of this endoscopy.

I just had to rant to those who would understand!!<O:p</O:p

NJChick · May 2, 2006

Oh Jill, that is heart breaking, believe me when I say we all can feel your frustration and dissapointment.

Hang in there and I'll be praying for you.

:confused:

diva · May 2, 2006

I will keep my fingers crossed for you!! I hope it works out.

What doctor are you using and where? I'm is MA too

JillN · May 2, 2006

Thanks everyone for your kind words - I do really like my surgeon, she's one of the best in the area (Dr. Ashley Vernon at Brigham and Woman's). But I do wish she'd taken a look at the X-rays back in February.

Oh well, life never goes as you plan - this is a fairly minor thing, especially compared to my best friend, whose father is dying in the hospital (she's in a deathbed vigil right now), and her friend, who, after surgery on both hands, got into a car accident a couple days ago, and totalled their new car (though luckily all passengers were totally fine, though the moose they hit was not)!

Guess you have to put things into perspective!!

3loves · May 3, 2006

Jill ~ Bless you heart, I know it's frustrating. :huggie: I bet you just want to ring her neck even though you like her. :phanvan I would feel the same way. Something that helped me when I thought I would just die from all the waiting (and I didn't wait nearly as long as some) was a quote from PhotoNut: "God's timing is perfect". I hope that helps you as well. Take care and let us know how things go. :grouphug: